A former Russellville mayor has filed a lawsuit naming the city, county and several county officials.

In a lawsuit filed Dec. 2, Tyrone Williamson named Circuit Clerk Fern Tucker, Tax Collector Rita Chandler, County Assessor Dana Baker, Pope County, the city of Russellville and former Commissioner of State Lands Mark Wilcox.

The suit rises from problems with a property in Russellville that Williamson purchased in a public auction in May 2006 for $9,058. Prior to Williamson’s purchase of the property, however, the same parcel was offered but not sold at public auction at some time between 2003 and 2009, the suit stated. Later, in July 2009, that same land was sold to a third party for $1,350.

The suit stated that third party sold the property in 2011 to new owners. On July 8, 2011, the new owners petitioned the court to quiet title to the property in their favor. As a result of those proceedings, the property was offered for sale to the public again on July 3, 2013. At that time, the land was purchased for $4,500 by the same owners who purchased the property in 2011.

Williamson received one-third of proceeds from the sale for his claim to the property, a total of $1,331.22.

Williamson claimed since purchasing the property in 2006, he paid all due property taxes for the land but county officials failed to properly record said payments.

Pope County Judge Jim Ed Gibson said he was not familiar enough with the case to comment, but said attorney Ralph Ohm was representing the county in the matter.

Russellville City Attorney Trey Smith said he would file an official response on behalf of the city soon.

It is telling, though sad, how things like these begin so far back in the earliest parts of peoples' lives. I am sure there are errors and shortcomings on behalf of the city and county, we have all seen this. I suspect there are issues stemming from upbringing that affect future decision making by all parties involved, for both good and bad decisions.